Hey, summer Bible study sisters! Watch the video if possible because I only put the barest bones in the written part of these summer Bible study posts. This version of your instructions is mostly for back up but, if you prefer to just get your assignments for your gathering this way and bypass all my verbose video-commentary, I certainly do understand that! Feel free! I just want to make sure you’ve experienced some personal interaction on here. Smiling.
OK! Here are your instructions for today and, remember! Your comments to this post are meant to be comprised of your responses to each of the interactives:
1. Based on the question in the middle of p.37 of your homework: To what specific area of holy bravery does God seem to be calling you in this present season?
2. Drawn from the portion on p.46 regarding the 5 ordinary tasks you perform on a daily basis, share a memory of an ordinary circumstance in which God met with you in an extraordinary way. If you’re new to all this and can’t think what to share, don’t feel lame or unspiritual. Pray for Him to do this very thing with you over the coming days and I have a feeling you won’t be disappointed.
3. Based on p.50 and the discussion about the first part of the divine declaration to Gideon, how confident or insecure do you tend to be regarding God’s promise that He is with you? Explain your answer.
4. Look at the bottom of p.57. Would you be willing to share the pair of terms that best describe a disparity you’ve dealt with between your self-perception and a biblical view of who you are in Christ? If you’re willing, also briefly explain your answer.
Ok, Sisters! That’s it! When you leave your comment, please be sure to put your first name, your city, whether you are in a small group or going solo, and your succinct responses to all or at least several of the interactives.
I’m crazy about you! Stay in the Word! We’ll meet again in 2 weeks on July 9th. Have Weeks 3 and 4 of your homework finished for that gathering if at all possible. So much love to you.
Siesta Summer Gideon Study – Week 2 from LPV on Vimeo.
1. For me to stand up and be bold with my family that has grown so far from God where my fears of losing them has kept me quiet.
2. God speaks to me in the early am while making coffee when I am silent. Being silent is the key and He never fails to amaze me.
3.I can forget this when I am running ahead of God. Oh what struggles this causes. I need to remember before I am out of breath that my God is always with me.
4. I had to claim two pairs because my feelings of insignificance has kept me in a place of fear, afraid of failure and lacking confidence. Beth, I loved your translation from Ps. 138:3. God is calling me to be “bold” beginning with my family and He is going to be with me always! I am
also going to remember He rejoices over me with singing!
4. I had to claim 2 pairs because my feelings of insignificance has kept me in a fearful place..so afraid of failure and not being confident. I loved Beth your translation of Ps. 138:3. God is calling me to be bold beginning with my family and how He will be with me always.
Joy V, Levittown, PA Solo
1. I need to display holy bravery in continuing to pray for the people and things that never seem to change: son’s return to faith,d-i-law come to faith and let go of anger and disappointment in life, husband’s work-lack of growth at church, direction for his counseling work.
2. Driving to work, alone in my pick up, listening to Pastor Swindoll, or listening to Christian music
3. I know the Lord is with me when I purposefully re-focus myself and experience His peace. Dr. Jeremiah preached on this idea this Sunday-finding the peace in this culture.
4. Fearful-courageous: I don’t project fear, but when I allow my mind to go to places that I shouldn’t, then worry and fear take over.
Lynn, Pittsburgh, Solo but sharing
1. Holy bravery..each morning I get up early and study God’s word. I know how hard it is for women to find time each day to truly study and meditate. Since Beth’s simulcast in the fall I have been led to share small portions of my study. I don’t share them everyday, but when I hear God’s silent voice. It is a small portion of women (about 10) that I send my emails to and they have been blessed. I am also sharing my own thoughts and highlights from this study of Gideon. (careful to give credit to Priscilla)
2. Laundry comes to mind. Not that I mind laundry. My kids “forget” about their need for clean uniforms. God has been so faithful to give me a gentle reminder just in time – making me look like the hero.
3. I know and believe that God is with me and often encourage myself in this reality. But, it’s usually the day in day out struggles that get me – like the teenager that is searching – this is when I say, “Are You in this house Lord? Can you see how much this young man is hurting? Why don’t You help him?
However, I definitely know He is with me as I share my study notes and thought s with those lovely ladies. I could never do that of myself.
4. Worthless / valuable
The more I drown myself into His glorious word, the more I believe I am valuable and He proves it by using me in sharing His word with precious women who have passed it on to others.
I am very confident that God is with me. I feel His presence each moment. I do have times when I am fearful and worried, but I do not doubt that God is always here right beside me and even carrying me through at times. He has not let go of me yet, and never will.
Praise God.
heather g
charlotte nc
solo
1. My area of holy bravery currently is in sifting through some traumatic childhood experiences through counseling, and ways it effects the type of spouse I am today, the way I parent, and how I relate to people. Gulp. I do feel brave. Only because of Jesus.
2. An ordinary experience…I was on the third request of telling my 5 year old not to do something because I could see an accident waiting to happen. And it did. So I said, “mommy wants you to obey because I know what could happen if you don’t.” As I stood up, I sucked in air sensing conviction about my obedience level and God grinning at me going, “uh-huh. That got ya didn’t it?”
3.Honestly, if it’s an area that I’ve seen Him work before I’m more confident that He’ll be there again, if even a different way. But if it’s something I’ve never dealt with I’m get afraid if I feel a distance, even after walking with Him now for 13 years as an adult.
4. My pairing would be insignificant-special. Or another way I’d put it is invisible-seen. Amen! So many times I’ve sensed God be up-close-and-personal with me to the point of one time, ONE TIME, I wanted, in the quietest,tenderest part of my heart, to hear a specific worship song on the radio on my way to an event I was nervous about and the song.came.on. Trust me…it was a Holy moment for me. Not just luck. I hadn’t prayed about it or asked Him to do it. It was not a current song or one that was played very often even when it came out in the ’90s. He knew I needed Him in that way in that moment. I’ve never felt SEEN by anyone more than My Heavenly Father the more I walk with Him.
1. Dealing with family issues
2. Today Intasted the first tomatoes from my garden. God provides.
3. I am confident that God is with me most of the time. Occasionally I know I step away from Him, but I know He is there.
4. Sometimes I feel ungifted, even though I know God equips me for the thing He calls me to do.
1. To speak out more to share His word. To share with the lost souls of this world the Jesus I know.
2. All the thing I do each day over and over – That God is with me and Lord Bless my soul.
3. The Lord is with me. With me in all I do, all I say. As long as I seek Him with all my heart, mind, soul, and strenght. And even when I fall short, He is still there waiting on me, watching over me, wanting me to come to Him.
I am a picture of strength on the outside, but insecure and sensitive on the inside. When I give things over to the Lord, I need to stop taking them back, and just observe patiently and peacefully.
Cheryl R, Midlothian, va solo
1- to trust him and try new things and experience where don’t control all the factors .
2-God often speaks to me in the mundane – walking the block, showering, driving the car
3- always with me – not sure I like where he’s taking me or taking me through
4- I see my flaws in my life , choices and my heart and – he still says my child beaming when he sees me
Katherine, The Woodlands, TX / Solo
1. To be more vulnerable with my husband. Also to risk his disapproval by being more deliberate in discipling our daughters.
2. Many times when one of my daughters spills something or makes a mess, I get the chance to display grace. To clean up the mess with a smile and hug her and remind her that it is all okay. It is so reassuring to know that my Heavenly Father has far more grace ready for me, if I will just ask for help with my own messes.
3. I tend to be insecure about this. But it is so refreshing to realize that He is there and that His presence doesn’t change because of my mood or my behavior.
4. Fearful/Courageous.
TAMI, AUBURNDALE, FL SOLO:
1. Bravery for standing firm in the spiritual battles at work.
2. God speaks and reveals himself to me in my car.
3. I know that God is always with me but I do not always act the way I should knowing this.
4. Rejected & Accepted (Disowned by my Family) God is my Family.
Janet from Odessa, TX ~ SOLO
1. Regardless of anyone else’s choices, God has commanded me to be submissive, to be respectful, and to model a Godly woman to my 3 daughters.
3. 50/50? I know and believe the Scriptures, but sometimes I think “even me?”, “really?” “how can He possibly be with lowly me?”
4. rejected/accepted ~ God chose ME!
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
Solo
1. I want to leave a legacy of faith and obeying God and loving Him and others to my children and grandchildren and all who come after me in my lineage until Christ returns.
2.Cleaning off my kitchen counter tops I have felt God’s presence. Sometimes in the middle of an ordinary, but hard day I just say the name, “Jesus” and I feel Him near.
3. I am so confident that God is with me because of His track record with me. He has never left me or forsaken me and I know He won’t. He is ever faithful, even when I am not.
4. Fearful to Courageous. I struggled with fear for a long time and still do if I dwell on it, but God has been so faithful to help me through this. I trust Him and just do things afraid and pray the whole time. I am getting more courageous with this practice. 🙂
Suzi, Bloomington,IN solo
1.holding accountable without being unforgiving, judgemental,
told you so, lose “popularity”, “friends” … With a child
living thru tough times so hard to not give up hope,not give
into fear of repeating bad choices and to be brave
2.somehow with children living out west I tend to get phone
calls just as we are trying to get dinner on the table
which enviably adds to an all ready stressful ordinary task
for me…as we prayed God said it’s not your fault it happen
3.not very secure when hit with uncalm. love that IT IS A FACT! not a feeling
4.insignificant – special my husband retiring at 50 and our moving has taken away much of what I clung to as my identity job, bible study leadership,children leaving home, close friendship, long time church
I am in a small group in Rome, GA and my name is Peggy.
1. Holy bravery will combat the ridicule from a few, tolerance by most and a few will watch to see if “I walk the walk” or “just talk the talk”.
Carrie, Northeast Missouri, Solo
1. I don’t know.
2. —
3. Middling.
4. Rejected & Accepted.
Kathy Carenza from New Port Richey Fl
Q1. I was just recently asked to throw together a VBS that will happen the 2nd week of Aug 2013. That’s just 6 weeks away and generally VBS planning takes almost a year. However God led my pastor to desire a VBS for our community and he led him to ask me, so Jesus take the wheel and lets drive off this cliff together.
Q2. I have several chronic diseases that lead me to have daily intolerable pain, so often I can’t do the daily routine chores. I scratched out daily and wrote weekly and for some things even that is a stretch. One routine thing I used to do before even that became too hard was driving. When I drive I talk to God in prayer out loud almost the whole time or listen to Sermons or Worship Music and sing as loud as I can. Time and time again a problem I have been dealing with or praying for will pop into my head as I drive and I pray listen, pray some more, scream cry laugh whatever I need to do. (I can imagine what other drivers looking in think of the crazy women talking to herself waving one hand around-I can’t talk w/o my hands). Anyways by the end of my trip almost every time, I would have an answer from God on how to deal with the problem. He is so good.
Q3:I was saved at age 4, my Dad is a Pastor and a Missionary. We were poor as church mice growing up but time and time again as a family we witnessed God’s hand in taking care of our needs and sometimes our wants. I remember one time when my parents were in Missionary training school, we had only rice and beans to eat for a few weeks. Eventually the butter ran out so we were eating plain rice and plain beans. We kept thanking God for feeding us and providing for us through it all. After about two weeks of this same fare it was my turn to pray at lunch. I thanked God for the Rice and beans but ended with “I wouldn’t mind seeing some Ho-Ho’s or Ding-Dongs on my plate for diinner though.” My sister and I were heading out to play and when we opened the door, there were two grocery bags full of food and right on top were a box of Ho-Ho’s and a box of Ding-Dongs. Many times of seeing God’s love portrayed so vibrantly have caused me to trust him unfailingly!!!!!
Q4. I prayed hard about this one to be sure I wasn’t being cocky or proud, but the answer is None of them!!! I was raised by parents who built us up and edified us and washed us in God’s love and their own love, so that now as a 45 yr old mother and grandmother, I truly have the Joy of the Lord in me and know to my inner core that I am His beloved Handmaiden, the Bride of Christ that He choose to be his Bride, the Child of the Loving, Just, Perfect Abba.
Krystal, Taylors, SC, Solo
#1- To fight against the fear that I struggle with; I hope to pass on a legacy of faith
#2- God has been faithful to use those times of doing mundane tasks as prayer times; a specific time where He revealed a much needed truth was when I was on maternity leave and was really battling fear, during a moment of peace, I just felt Him direct me to His Word, where He led me to Psalm 121 and I just felt Him tell me that He was holding us close, that He was still with us, and would care for us
#3- I struggle with the fear that I will do something to make God give up on me, but am hopefully growing in that area, to believe that truth that He is always with me, and will never leave me
#4- Insignificant/Special; Insecurity is a something I really struggle with, so God has been helping me to see that a lot of that has to do with who I am looking to for determining my self-worth, and realizing that I am special and beloved in His eyes
Tracy from Irvine, California ~
1. God is calling me to holy bravery but asking me to relinquish control of my life, my kids, my work, my family to Him and only Him.
2. I was on my morning walk and working through some fear issues and the word surrender was placed on my heart. It felt a relief. That word. That action. It is a relief to surrender all to Him.
3. I am very confident that God is with me most of the time. My achilles is my fear. When I enter these times of fear, the enemy wants me to believe God is not with me and doesn’t even love me. It’s a struggle and I have to work at preaching to myself and praying, and telling myself spiritual truths.
4. Fear vs. holy bravery.
Dorothy, San Diego, CA/solo
1. To not fear uncertainty and to do what I believe He’s calling me to do.
2. I frequently listen to podcasts (sermons) while doing my makeup, and I’ll often find that God will use those podcasts to highlight a word, sentence, or phrase that resonates with my spirit.
3. I think more often that not, my head moves faster than my heart; while I KNOW that God is with me in my head, my heart takes a while to “catch up”.
4. Insignificant, special. Sometimes I wonder, “How is it that You [God] notice me when there are billions of other people in the world? How in the world could You possibly use me? What do I have to offer?” I recognize that these feelings of insignificance stem from my own insecurity, which is why I MUST allow God to speak His truth about my identity into my heart and mind daily.
Kimberly, Creedmoor, Solo
1. Holy bravery of courage, determination, perseverance and commitment are required to leave a legacy of faith. I’m in!
2. Driving 40 minutes to work everyday is my praise and worship time. So many times God gives me a word to strengthen my soul and to encourage others.
3. I am confident God is with me because He said so.
4. Fearful/Courageous I will not be afraid for my God is with me and makes me bold with strength when I call upon His name. PTL.
Jane, Missouri, Solo
1. COMPLETE Obedience.
2. Truthfully, discernment is a weak area. I have felt Him but it is usually in quiet/study time.
3. I do get anxious when things feel like they are at a boiling point with the stresses of life. I have to stop and remind myself that He is there.
4. rejected/accepted; insignificant/special.
Carolyn–Williamston, MI–Solo
1. Holy Bravery–One of the reasons I decided to do this study in the first place was in preparation for my missions trip to Kenya in August, my first cross-cultural trip ever. Definitely feeling the need for holy bravery in it.
2. God in the Mundane–When I have a load of laundry in the washing machine, a loaf of bread in the breadmaker, the dishwasher going, and I can be playing a game with my kids all at the same time, I thank God for the blessing of modern appliances!
3. I have grown up with a strong Christian legacy and knowing God is with me is as much a part of my thinking as that the sun will rise in the morning.
4. rejected/accepted–This one goes back to high school and college days, but still haunts me at times when I seek recognition from others for what I’ve done/accomplished in order to feel good about myself.
Lauren, Dedham, MA/Solo
1. To recommit to getting up early each morning (therefore going to bed on-time at night) to spend focused time in the Word and in prayer.
2. When driving my children the 45 minutes to school in the morning, God has brought about the most profound spiritual conversations prompted by a few, simple questions that my five year old son has asked!
3. I have recently felt like God has been ignoring me–not answering my questions and concerns through His Word like he has in the past–and it leaves me feeling like God has taken His presence from me and/or I have done something to block it. This was a good reminder that God IS with me whether I feel it or not, whether I hear from Him clearly or not and I need to walk in and believe that truth despite my feelings.
4. I chose fearful verses courageous. I feel like it is my besetting sin to be fearful and not trust God completely. I have had victory in this from time to time, but it sure seems like this is an issue that continues to return to me over and over again. I so want to believe that I am strong and courageous because my God is those things in me!
Laurie, Milton, GA, Solo
1. Brave enough to stand alone. Brave enough to go very public with my faith.
2. No specific memories connected to the ordinary tasks I listed. Commutes to work, however, are often divine times of prayer and concerted thinking about matters from God’s perspective.
3. I don’t really believe about myself what I believe concerning others. I DO believe, but it is hesitant and wary—I have to work at it.
4. insignificant vs. special. This is sad. I tend to think I am invisible and insignificant because I “blew” a season of my life years ago in a way that produced lingering, daily consequences that hinder what I “could have been.” “I did it to myself” is a thought I fight apart from God’s promises.
Liz, lubbock, tx solo
1. Waiting for t’s return
2. Praying praying praying for a word to let me know HE was listening and my chiro innocently providing that word
3. Because I’ve always heard the phrase “if your feeling distant from God, he’s not the one who moved, you are” I believe it’s all on me when i dont “feel” him. therefore I don’t believe he’s always with me.
4. Insignificant /special
always considered myself average , “c” student, middle. Recently though, really believing I’m pretty unique and special!
Rose/Buffalo/solo
1) I think God is calling me to trust His Word completely! To reform my thinking based on who He says I am.
2)It seems that every time God has spoken it was during an ordinary task, one time in particular, I was in the restroom at work and a woman, who I did not know, who was also using the facilities, made a comment to me that was an answer to a question I had cried out to the Lord just hours before!
3) I know in my head He is with me, but I tend to forget in my heart.
4)The pair of terms for me is rejected/accepted. I have always felt i had to work really hard to be accepted, this has caused me much pain.
Mary
Houston, TX
Solo
1. To stand up for my faith by answering why I believe what I believe
2. On the drive to work I memorize scripture, pray and listen to books – I find that God will bring the same topic up repeatedly to get my attention.
3. I know in my heart, head and gut that God is with me, but under stress it can be hard to tell the difference between God is with me but maybe this isn’t what God has for me.
4. Fearful vs courageous – speaking up about God to others.
Deirdre, Hilliard, OH, solo
1. To pack up and move within the next 3 weeks to NC. Starting my business over there. Will take fully relying on Him for financial resources, wisdom in decision making, stamina and strength.
2. When prayerfully considering home schooling a few years ago, God used a car drive to work to play almost like a video in mind of all the prayers I had for my family at that point and showed how home schooling woul answer those prayers. And now after finishing our 3rd year I can see how He has answered those prayers through it!
3. I am secure in knowing that He is with me, but as Beth said in the video I trip myself up with the idea that I’ve done something to warrant Him withholding a blessing or that I’m delaying His promises. (Thank you Beth for being so real and sharing wih us!) Trying to live in my weakness (and sometimes my strength) instead of His infinite power.
4. I have at some point felt everything on that chart. Praise God for healing and restoration! Right now fearful/courageous comes up with all the unknowns and all the change that surrounds our move and everything associated with it. Also incompetent/capable for what He has called me to do in my life professionally and in being a woman if influence for Him.
1. Stay the course; be obedient.
2. I am in an anxious time and I was sitting on my deck in the early morning reading my devotional which was promising that God’s presence is with me and suddenly, by two’s and three’s birds began to appear and settle in the tree behind me (literally over my head). All different birds, including a cardinal!
3. I believe with all of my heart that God is with me at all times, but I don’t always “feel” Him.
4. Fear vs. Courageous. Fear is my Pit.
1. I believe God is calling me in Holy bravery, to start at home. Teaching my grand kids about God and not being afraid to talk of spiritual things to my grown children. I worry about finances & possibility of retrieving soon, but am learning to leave it with Him.
2. While putting on my makeup God frequently places on my heart, the need to pray for a particular person.
3. God is faithful, and I believe His word, but sometimes I forget how he has seen me through before, or that his word doesn’t apply to me. I pray that God will continue to remind me of all that He has been & done for me.
4. Insignificant/special- Who am I to anyone? Zephaniah 3:17 Lord help me believe it!
Oops! Forgot to write:
Faye Tronsgard from Calgary AB Canada
Doing the study with my sister.
1. International adoption of a SN child or children
2. I was reading a book. Very ordinary thing for me. I have to share this with you Beth b/cuz it involves you. I was reading your book “When Godly People Do UnGodly Things”. There on page 84, at the bottom, I read the last paragraph and that is where the Lord took your sentence and slapped me in the chops with His Truth. You wrote, “God allowed Job to be tested so harshly because He, God, had faith in him, Job. Amazing.” Right there the Lord spoke to my heart and said that I had been tested (for years) because He, God, has (not had, but HAS) faith in me!!! Wept like a baby as I finally got clarity about why so much threshing, pain, fleshing, and more pain that I had been enduring. WHEW! He has faith in wittle ole me!
3. I am getting better. Esp. after what happened as described in #2. But it is still a struggle and at times I mistake His silence as Him hiding his face from me (which I would if I were him, but since He is who He is: I know He is not…just keeping quiet from the Throne to allow me to grow, and to be “refined” as told me once.)
4. I actually chose 4 of those pairs. Fearful/Courageous (for the adoption path), worthless/valuable (not enough time/space to get into that), rejected/accepted (see #2 and again-no brief explaining will cover this here), and insignificant/special (I think that is a pretty common battle and I think Satan is on a marathon with believers to get us to feel that way).
that should say ‘as He told me once’ (oops)
Diane, Charleston IL, Solo
1. God is calling me to reach out and minister to people. This is difficult for me because I am shy.
2. I often feel God’s presence, sometimes very strongly, while doing laundry and hanging laundry on the line. I feel very thankful for my family and my children.
3. Most of the time, I am confident that God is with me, but sometimes I fall into the trap of believing that there are things I can do or not do that would drive me away.
4. I picked “insignificant/special” because the root of a lot of my anxieties and fears is that I am not significant enough for God or for other people to notice or care about.
Lynn D. Kentucky, studying alone.
1. My area of holy bravery is to get rid of junk in my life that competes with me spending time with the Lord. It means turning off the iPad game, putting down the novel, and turning off the tv so I can start a home Bible study and focus on family worship.
2. Off the top of my head I can’t recall when the Lord has spoken in the mundane activities I do every day. It isn’t that He hasn’t for I look for Him to speak all the time. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had constant communication with Him? Just an ongoing conversation where we didn’t have to wait for an answer, where we just heard Him speaking all the time. I long for that.
3.Can you be confident and insecure at the same time? I am confident that the Lord called my husband and me into fulltime ministry. We serve the Lord in a small congregation in Kentucky. When we surrendered to ministry I felt the call to also minister to women more than just leading Bible studies at church but the opportunities have been few so in that respect I am insecure whether the Lord has called me in that. I keep praying and I keep leading Bible study and teaching Sunday School and I keep waiting for an answer.
4. Sadly I can identify with all six pairs. Some comes from my own doing and believing lies I have told myself. Unfortunately, others come from harsh words spoken by others and actual experiences. Of the six I think “rejected and accepted” fit well. For years I felt unloved, undervalued, and ignored. I looked for acceptance in a lot of places in a lot of wrong ways until I met Jesus. I still struggle with those feelings at times.
Erin/Alaska/solo
1. My calling of holy bravery: raising our two kids according to God’s way and going against the flow when necessary.
2. Yesterday I found myself trying to kill yet another mosquito in the house since its incessant buzzing was driving me crazy! Immediately in that moment God spoke to me about the importance of destroying the things in my life that are unhealthy because even if it seems small, it can have big impacts!
3. One of my big fears is God letting go of me. I needed to hear Beth’s encouragement that God knows how and where to find me.
4. Fearful and courageous
April, Springfield, Illinois – going solo
1. An intentional relationship with God – Out Loud, Visual in front of my daughter.
2. Once on the walk into work from my car I saw something in a brand new way by watching some construction that was happening on our company’s property – workers were tearing down an old parking garage, but there were these temporary pillars that had been moved into the parking garage to hold it up while other parts were being removed. It struck me then that God really does hold us up while he is tearing things out of our lives that need to be gone – he never will let me fall when I am yielded to his construction of my life – it was powerful 3 or 4 minutes walking into work that day for sure!
3. I am intellectually confident that He is with me – I believe it; I am less emotionally confident – my faith is not always in line with what I KNOW. I’m not sure I am explaining that well.
4. Rejected vs. accepted – I struggle with being enough in myself – I don’t have to be ENOUGH – I’ve already been accepted – He won’t reject me.
Jeanie, Nashville, Solo – Thank you so much for doing this. As always it was just what I needed. The Holy Spirit never ceases to amaze me. May God bless you Beth and Lindsee and lproof ladies!
1. When I think of a legacy of faith, I think of my children. I have three and they are not living to please the Lord. Satan loves to beat me up over this and I know I have failed in many ways. I have repented of everything that God has revealed in areas that I didn’t parent in a godly way. They are grown now. But I will not give up hope. I know God is a God of redemption, reconciliation and restoration. He will restore what the locusts have eaten. So God is calling me to holy bravery in not giving up. Continuing to bathe them in prayer and claim the promises of God for them. I know He loves them more than me. I know He is faithful.
2. This may seem silly, but many times when I am folding clothes or preparing supper, God seems to encourage me through the Holy Spirit to do every task unto Him. In our faithfulness in caring for our families, God shows Himself to be faithful. We are the only image of Christ that some people will see.
3. I know He is always with me. I don’t always feel He is with me. Sometimes He has to remind me not to rely on my feelings but on the knowledge of His character and promises.
4. At some points of my life, I have experienced all of these. So I looked all of them up and wrote them out. What a blessing! The last eight years of my life have been ones of great upheaval. So probably the one that jumped out the most was fearful to courageous. I have been saved since I was 5 and have always said I trusted the Lord, but God has allowed circumstances in my life to show me areas where I wasn’t trusting Him. Now I begin my day by saying, “Lord I choose to trust you in everything.” I won’t be fearful about today or tomorrow because you are my refuge and my strength. You are with me and you’ve promised to never leave me or forsake me.
Missy, Lake Placid, Solo
1) BOLDNESS, Opportunity & Empowering
2) Open the blinds to let the “SON” in and open up the door (Of my heart) to allow the Holy Spirit free access
3) Confident! First time in almost 53 years that I have been truly ALONE and God is so real and present in my life. Hallelujah
4) Rejected/accepted. Because of rejection, I thought I was running AWAY from my life only to find out that I ran straight INTO it!!!
Suzanne, Harrisville, RI– small group
#2
I remember the bridge that I was crossing over while driving and running errands. A situation had come up between my husband and myself. I told the Lord, “I’m going to forgive him.” I thought that I was being especially generous. The Lord said to my heart, “Oh, you’re going to have to do that more than just this once!” I said, “How many times?” He said, “Lots.” During the course of our 37 year marriage, that was most definitely the truth.
Shalah, Haslet Tx, duo
#4.Incompetent/Capable- In paramedic school, thinking and feeling the stress of it all and being tired; But knowing that in Him that all things are possible and I am capable.
Jenny, Haslet,TX — Duo
My Calling of Holy Bravery is to leave a legacy of faith with my husband, to my immediate family that remains in our family till Jesus comes back. To intentionally and strategically stand strong against the tide of the untrue doctrine and to honor the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Brea B. – Gardendale, AL Solo
1. To be more bold in my faith. Not to shy back in crowds to meet people and tell them what God has done in my life. To get out of my comfort zone.
2. On my drive to and from work. I am the only on in the car and I just cut off the radio and spend time with God. This is one of the places that I usually get answers. It is also the place God brings to mind those I need to lift up in prayer.
3. Insecure – Sometimes when I take a step of faith I begin to wonder if I am doing it alone.
4. Insignificant/Special – Sometimes I feel that I am not worth consideration. Even though I have a lot to say and God has given me insight to share, I feel that others don’t see my opinion as being worth anything. This all goes back to #1 above where I need to be more bold and less timid in sharing my faith and opinions.
Linda, Johnstown, PA, solo
#1. I think just to push past my insecurities and speak out for Him and stand up for what is right regardless of what others think or say (both personal and global issues).
#2. The other day I was doing some pruning and I started thinking about what kind of pruning God may want to do in my life so that I will bear good fruit. (John 15:2)
#3. I am very confident that God will keep His promises to be with me at all times. I have been through so much with Him that I know for certain that He has never left me and that He never will.
#4. Insignificant/special – I feel insignificant because when I am in a group of more than a few people (even family), nobody seem to notice me or care what I have to say. Sometimes I feel invisible.
Monica, Hicksville, small group
1) TRUSTing Him completely in an ongoing health issue & other desisions. Also, FAITH..leaving a legacy to my son.
2)Just driving home from work last night. I was dealling w/ anxiety over this health issue. I really had a sense of His Presence with me as I was listening to Steven Curtis Chapmans song “We will Dance”. I’m so thankful God gave me that sweet confidence that He is w/ me & loves me.
3)I had to go to two different Dr’s recently & was wondering if I was doing the right thing. My memory vs. this month was (PSALM 32:8). I truly felt God speak those words into me as I was going to most recent Dr. appt. just today. Learning to trust in my precious Heavenly Father, because His loving eye IS upon me..(Psalm 32:8)
4) Incapable. Asking God to destroy my fears…completely. Sometimes all it takes is that 1st step of obedience & like Gideon we just have to “go in the strength we have” & God will do the work. Recent live webcast “WOF” w/ Lysa T. Spoke to me to “set my heart & mind on things above”. I am Gods child THEREFORE, God’s Word IS THERE FOR me!
Laura, Carlsbad, CA: Daybreak Small Group
1. God is specifically calling me to a HOLY BRAVERY when it comes to my 3 step children (in their 20’s & 30’s). They are very resistant to Christianity. This is definitely a God-sized task!
2. God meets with me every once in awhile in the middle of the night when I wake up. When there have been situations or trials that seemed hopeless or unclear, He has brought clarity and solutions that could only come from Him. I have to write them down or I will forget in the morning.
3. I am very confident that God is with me. I might not always acknowledge Him, but I know He is always there.
4. There were a couple I could relate to, but the closest was ‘ungifted – equipped’. When God first called me into ministry my first thought was “Who me?” But He has proven over and over again that He equips me with everything I need. Everything. When I try to work in my own strength and knowledge things tend to reflect that….
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI solo
1. Standing up for TRUTH when much of what people are saying around us is ok and broken relationshis because of it and continuing to TRUST and WALK with God in the midst of turmoil
2. God has recently “rocked” our “world” with our only ‘baby’ – our border collie having terminal cancer. Life has changed drastically since January 1st with everything that has entailed, day to day sometimes, even
One day, when what was happening was particuarily rough – God spoke to me using our “fur-baby” laying under our Christmas tree. She had gotten up under it and layed down on our nativity. Layed down on JESUS in our nativity. And God SPOKE. He said if SHE knows where to lay and rest it all, I should know where to lay and rest it all. To lay it all on Him and rest. Rest knowing WHO HE IS and HOW HE LOVES US. (There’s MUCH more to this, I’d like to share, but I’m trying to be succinct ;0)
3. I think, right now, in the season we are in – I tend to be insecure that He is with us. I TOTALLY resonated with Gideon’s questions!
4. Rejected ~ Accepted and Insignificant ~ Special (but fearful;courageous was a runner-up :0)
I think God revealed to me I feel rejected by many, in the season we’re in
and I feel very unimportant or even treated as unimportant by those who say they love me.
Kay, Indiana, Solo
1. To ground myself in Gods’ love for me and who I am because of that so that i will be grounded and be able to teach my kids who they are. He wants me to be brave in talking to and dealing with their father and step mother so that we can all walk according to His truth.
3. I tend to be insecure in everything, I think because i have let my foundation crack and forget who i am in Him. I also struggle with being worth any value.
4. rejected/accepted I have always felt less than, abandoned, not enough….and continue to struggle .
Lauren, Kentucky, going solo
1. One area of holy bravery I’m having to take up in this season of my life is trust. In the past year or so, there have some issues I’ve had to deal with that involve me stepping out of my insecurities and letting them go.
2. I can’t think of one exact instance, but God seems to talk to me a lot when I’m driving alone in the car.
3. The Lord is with you- Yes, I believe this. I’ve seen Him work too many times in my life, through protection and comfort and just the right song or word needed. This means everything. He loves me when I struggle with loving myself and nothing can happen that will ever seperate me from His love.
4. I took time to look up all of them but a couple really resonated with me. I struggle with not feeling like I’m enough, so incompetent/capable and worthless/valuable. That verse in 1 Peter really speaks to me. I am chosen, favored, a peculiar people (set apart). I am special, and He loves me just the way I am!
Sharon, Mineola, Texas
Dealing with aging parents has been very stressful as it seems their health is declining weekly. God has given me the courage to keep on honoring my in laws even when it is unpleasant. I also have to see God in the mundane when I would rather be selfish and not heed His call. When I honor God after performing those daily tasks, I too feel less chaos and ready to begin my day. Calling on the Lord during those crazy, chaotic times in my life, gives me a peace I wouldn’t normally have and helps me cope calmly in the storm. I know that God loves me in spite of my insecurity as He reminds I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ……….